Integrated seal for control button

a technology of integrated seals and buttons, applied in the field of integrated seals for buttons, can solve the problems of tool buttons dislodging or unwantingly popping out of the tool, damage to the tool or the button, and large internal stress on the tool

Active Publication Date: 2017-04-18
SNAP ON INC
View PDF28 Cites 0 Cited by
  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The peak-and-valley seal provides effective sealing with reduced friction, allowing for easier actuation and longer-term structural stability of the button, facilitating easier removal and replacement without damaging the tool or button.

Problems solved by technology

Also, tools are commonly subjected to large internal stressing and flexing, causing some tool buttons to dislodge or unwantingly pop-out from the tool, if not properly secured.
Often times, when such buttons are removed, either the tool or the button can be damaged.
Alternately, to facilitate future removal of the button, the button may be loosely installed in the tool, or otherwise lack the structural stability needed with a tool button.
Conventional tools include retention mechanisms for retaining buttons, but such retention mechanisms lack the required structural stability or make removing the button difficult.
These tool buttons permanently attach to internal structure within the tool housing and lack the ability to be removed and replaced with any relative ease.
The large compressive force increases friction on the button when the button is actuated, thus causing increased force to actuate the button, and ultimately reduces the long term structural stability of the button and seal.

Method used

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
View more

Image

Smart Image Click on the blue labels to locate them in the text.
Viewing Examples
Smart Image
  • Integrated seal for control button
  • Integrated seal for control button
  • Integrated seal for control button

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

Embodiment Construction

[0021]While the present invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings, and will herein be described in detail, embodiments of the invention, including a preferred embodiment, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to embodiments illustrated.

[0022]An embodiment of the present invention broadly comprises a seal that is integrated into a groove of a button. The seal can include a cross-section having a peak surrounded by a valley on each side of the peak. The valleys both extend below the outer surface of the midsection of the button and the peak extends above the outer surface so as to allow for easier compression of the seal while performing the sealing function.

[0023]It will be appreciated that while the present invention is discussed as applicable to a depressible or switchable butto...

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to View More

PUM

No PUM Login to View More

Abstract

A seal integrated into a groove of a button. The seal includes a cross-section with a peak surrounded by a valley on each side of the peak. The valleys both extend below the outer surface of the midsection of the button and the peak extends above the outer surface. This structure allows for easier compression of the seal while performing the sealing function.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14 / 639,264, filed Mar. 5, 2015, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to an integrated seal for a button. More particularly, the present invention relates to an integrated seal for a button that requires a smaller compressive force compared to an O-ring seal.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Depressible buttons are used in many types of power tools. Examples of depressible buttons include triggers for initiating operation, reverse mechanisms that reverse the direction of operation of the tool, and power restriction buttons that limit the output of the tool. Each of these buttons must be maintained in a structurally stable configuration due to the repeated use of the buttons during each operation of the tool. A trigger for a drill, for example, may b...

Claims

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to View More

Application Information

Patent Timeline
no application Login to View More
Patent Type & AuthorityPatents(United States)
IPC IPC(8): H01H13/06G05G1/02G05G25/04H01H13/86
CPCG05G25/04G05G1/02H01H13/06H01H13/86F16J15/16H01H3/12H01H13/14F16J15/32
InventorGRIFFIN, PAUL W.
OwnerSNAP ON INC